By
Karl Brauer
Last
updated: March 27, 2001
Psst! Hey, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Station wagons are in;
flip-prone, gas-guzzling, vision-blocking behemoths (aka SUVs) are out!
The station wagon is making a comeback, and vehicles like the 2001 Audi S4
Avant are perfect examples of why wagons deserve to reclaim their former place
in the automotive pantheon. Sure, the S4 Avant (along with the A4 Avant that
it's based on) is more fuel-efficient, better-handling, quicker and easier to
park than just about any SUV, but in the S4 Avant's case, it even has a good
portion of the sport sedan, performance coupe, and pure sports car segments
beat, as well.
Consider, if you will, this grocery-getter's 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6. At 250
horsepower, the S4 Avant has considerably more gusto than the Lexus IS 300,
the all-new 2002 Subaru WRX or even the V8-powered Ford Crown Victoria. It
also tops the high-strung Honda S2000's 240 horsepower, while matching the
Porsche Boxster S' 250 output. The upcoming BMW M3 should eclipse the S4's
horsepower with its 333 ponies, but currently no wagon version is planned.
Even more impressive, the S4 comes standard with Audi's quattro
all-wheel-drive system, meaning only the WRX matches it in terms of
all-weather practicality. Besides offering extra grip when the road gets
slippery, Audi's all-wheel-drive system (which features electronically locking
differentials) makes for superior straight-line and twisty road traction. This
system contributed to the S4's zero-to-60 sprint of 5.9 seconds while the
quarter-mile passed in under 14.5 seconds. That's Boxster S territory, folks,
and in the S4 Avant, you still get 31.3 cubic feet of cargo space before
folding down the 60/40 split rear seats (which brings the total to 63.7 cubic
feet). Our vehicle was outfitted with the six-speed manual transmission, but
Audi claims that even Tiptronic models with the five-speed automatic (a
no-cost option) can get to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.
If this Audi's go power doesn't win you over, its stopping power surely will.
The basic four-wheel, anti-lock disc brake system is augmented with four-pad
front brake calipers, meaning two separate brake pads grabbing each side of
the front rotors. At the test track, we recorded three consecutive 60-to-zero
braking distances of 113 feet (also better than the last Porsche Boxster we
tested). Through it all, the S4's brakes showed no signs of fading, and the
same binders proved super stable when we were driving our canyon test loop.
But hard numbers don't mean a thing if the car just doesn't work in the real
world. It's here that Audi's engineers struck an interesting compromise
between performance and comfort. Compared to most tuner cars from the likes of
Mercedes' AMG group or BMW's M division, the S4 Avant has a decidedly relaxed
feel. Speed bumps, broken pavement and freeway expansion joints are traversed
with little drama, making it an ideal setup for 90 percent of the driving
conditions that S4 Avant owners will encounter 90 percent of the time.
But it also limits the car's handling during those rare occasions when caution
is thrown to the wind and pure cornering performance is requested. Under these
circumstances, the S4 tilts and sways at every curve, allowing the vehicle's
weight to slosh around before finally taking a set and calming down. While
still a joy to pilot over twisting canyon roads, the S4 Avant doesn't display
the same unshakable composure that its Teutonic rival, BMW, has adopted as its
trademark. Does that make the Bimmer better? Not if you spend more time
dodging potholes than strafing apexes. Under all but the most enthusiastic of
driving circumstances, the S4 is capable and composed, and it never beats you
up or makes you feel like you've sacrificed practicality for performance.
And if practicality is your
main concern, the S4 Avant offers the type of functionality you would expect
from a modern-day station wagon. That means the aforementioned fold-down
second row seats with a pass-through for long items, an aluminum roof rack,
electronic stability control and multiple airbags (front, side and head).
Buyers will also note that xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights, a
headlight washer system and foglights are all standard on the S4 Avant. Music
aficionados who buy the Avant version of Audi's S4 will get the same
eight-speaker, 80-watt audio system that comes with the sedan. However, a
subwoofer is added to the wagon's Symphony sound system to provide maximum
thump throughout the additional interior space.
Of course, we'd be lying if we said that the practical aspects of the S4 Avant
are what drew us to the car. One look at its lowered stance, Onyx Blue
Alcantara leather seats and 17-inch Avus wheels and we didn't care how many
grocery bags it could hold. And that's really the beauty of this car. Even
more than the A4 Avant, this S4 version can play the role of rational
daily-driver, confident cold-weather transporter and capable canyon-carver --
all at the same time.
Like every vehicle, the S4 Avant has its weak points. Adults will find
second-row legroom too tight for long trips, and our particular model had an
annoying creak emanating from the sunroof area. Finally, we find it rather
insulting that a $43,000 premium automobile doesn't come with any steering
wheel audio controls. We'd also like to see Audi update the headlight, wiper
and cruise control stalks, all of which felt clumsy and counter-intuitive to
us. We do, however, applaud them for giving buyers one-touch down and
one-touch up power windows.
With Subaru's WRX line hitting the market along with BMW's all-wheel-drive 3
Series wagon, buyers finally have a wide range of performance-oriented AWD
wagon options. But if, in addition to your all-weather driving and
cargo-hauling needs, you require ultimate performance, style and brand cachet,
there's really only one choice. With an A4 redesign coming next year, we're
not sure what will become of the S4 Avant. We'd like to think it will make the
leap to the new platform, but Audi is providing no guarantees. Which means
that the first year for this performance wagon (at least from the American car
buyer's perspective) may also be its last. So if you like this vehicle as much
as we do, place your order now!
And make sure you get the Nogaro Blue Pearl paint with Onyx Blue leather
interior. It looks even cooler in person
BY LAWRENCE ULRICH
DETROIT FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
The man driving the Plymouth Prowler is perplexed. Peeved. And any other "P" words you might think of.
He's just been blown off by a station wagon. More than once, since the first stoplight surprise clearly upset his neatly ordered concept of the universe: Hot rods beat station wagons. Every time.
But this Audi S4 Avant is no ordinary wagon. Rub out our tester's screaming yellow paint (picture Tweetie Bird set ablaze), and the 17-inch wheels, and the S4 logos were the only big giveaways of the twin-turbocharged, 250-horsepower engine lurking below decks.
I'm not precisely sure who this wagon is aimed at, but one thing's for sure: No soccer mom who buys it will ever be late for practice again.
Audi rolled out its S4 sedan last year, a high-zoot version of the popular A4 sports sedan. For 2001, the S4 Avant, sold only in the United States, trades the sedan's trunk for a liftgate and split-folding seats that boost utility while keeping nearly all the fun. Audi, in a rare glimpse of German humor, calls it "the sports sedan with a fanny pack."
There are two ways to look at the S4 Avant's beyond-$40,000 price. Some will ask how a roughly Ford Focus-sized wagon can possibly cost 2.5 times as much.
Others, mainly those interested in reducing BMW 3-Series owners to tears, will see this wagon as fairly priced. Most will probably be drawn to the more stylish S4 sedan. But if people line up for sport-utilities that handle with the finesse of stampeding elephants, certainly there are drivers who'd prefer a sleek wagon that outperforms any SUV on the planet. That includes the BMW X5 with a 4.4-liter V8, which weighs a half-ton more than the Audi, and can't touch its acceleration or handling.
Audi claims a 0-60 m.p.h. time of 5.9 seconds with the manual transmission, and the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds. The trip to 60 m.p.h. takes 6.5 seconds in automatic models.
Top speed is electronically limited to 143 m.p.h. This little wunderwagon gets its grunt from a 2.7-liter V6 engine with a pair of turbochargers, one for each bank of three cylinders. As with other bi-turbo units, using two smaller turbochargers helps reduce the lag drivers feel before turbo power kicks in; a single larger turbocharger takes longer to get spinning and deliver juiced fuel and air to the engine.
The S4 Avant adds about 100 pounds over the sedan version. But with the engine and decidedly firm sport suspension carried over, the Avant offers virtually the identical fun-to-drive quotient.
Seventeen-inch, 45-Series Dunlop Winter Sport tires on six-spoke alloy wheels offer a prodigious grip.
Braking power and feel is outstanding. Handling and security is enhanced by Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Add standard stability control and safety features such as side curtain air bags that shield front and rear side windows, and the Avant becomes a practical four-season sporting machine.
The standard 6-speed manual shifter, with its longish throw and somewhat flabby action, is the only real performance flaw. It's not so bad that you blow shifts or engage the wrong gear. And in truth, I've gotten so used to VW/Audi shifters over the years that I barely notice anymore. But it certainly could be more crisp and precise. Drivers can also opt for a five-speed automatic that also allows clutchless manual gear selection.
The Avant's interior features the execution and attention to detail that have lifted Audi -- and to a lesser extent, its Volkswagen parent -- to a near-consensus as the current leader in automotive design. Audi's classic, grippy three-spoke steering wheel, leather and genuine bird's-eye maple trim are all here. But it's the little things, that some automakers continue to overlook, that add up to a satisfying whole: Materials, seats and switches that look and feel just right. A lined glove box with dampers that effect a buttery, controlled descent, not a cheap plastic bin that whangs open like a jack-in-the-box.
Of course, automotive perfection is hard to attain. For starters, Audi's all-red instrument lighting needs to, well, lighten up. Audi itself does a white gauge background in the Audi TT that provides welcome contrast to the crimson tide of displays.
The central panel is also busy with small buttons and switches for audio and climate functions.
Audi, apparently convinced that all wagon owners are into winter sports, has made a ski sack standard in the Avant. The sack o' skis fits through a center seat opening to avoid impinging on rear-seat passengers.
Outside, the Imola Yellow paint is one of two S4-only colors, the other being Nogaro Blue. Aluminum roof rails and big front air intakes are stylish additions.
European cars in this price range do have a reputation for fairly steep routine maintenance costs. (A good rule of thumb is that if your technician is wearing a white lab coat, prepare to break out the checkbook).
So it's worth noting that Audis feature no-charge scheduled maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles. Four years of 24-hour roadside assistance is also included.
Regarding utility, some wagon lovers may find the Avant has a bit less cargo and passenger space than they'd expect.
Keep in mind, this is still a compact wagon. The rear seat, for example, is strictly for two.
The Audi is nearly two inches shorter than the Ford Focus Wagon, with about four inches less rear legroom and a smaller cargo hold behind the rear seat. (With the 60/40 split rear seats folded, the much-wider Audi does boast a decided edge in overall cargo capacity).
Among competitors with available all-wheel drive, the Audi's dimensions square up with BMW's 325xi Wagon. The Volvo and Mercedes wagons in this price range are far less fun, but they are larger and more accommodating.
With seats folded to their nearly flat position, the Audi can easily manage a camping trip's worth of gear. The ground-hugging stance also contributes to an extremely low liftover height at the rear, making it easy to load and unload shopping bags or other cargo.
The practicality roster includes shopping bag hooks, a cargo-area power outlet, four tie-down eyelets, a retractable luggage cover plus tool and first-aid kits.
Certainly, the market for 250-horsepower, $43,000 performance wagons is small. But the S4 Avant is still a dream machine for families who want to play Mario Andretti, but don't want to come off as selfish and irresponsible. I can already see how every negotiation for this toy will start: "Look, honey, a tailgate!"
Let's be honest. Anyone remotely interested in a wagon that tops 140 m.p.h. knows the deal.
This station wagon was born to thrill, not to fill.
Contact LAWRENCE ULRICH at 313-222-5394 or ulrich@freepress.com.
May 30, 2001